Hand implement



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. RYAN.

HAND IMPLEMENT. No. 483,477; Patented Sept. 27, 1892.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. RYAN.

HAND IMPLEMENT. No. 483,477. Patented Sept. 27, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW RYAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

HAND IMPLEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 483,477, dated September 27, 1892.

Application filed January 22, 1892. Serial No, 418,915. (No model.)

To 519% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW RYAN, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Washing: ton, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hand Implements; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of hand I 5:implements in which a spring is interposed between the handle and operating end of the implement to cushion the end-thrust. In these prior devices there is no lateral play to yield or give to the muscles of the operator, and thereby render his labors less straining, wearing, and irksome. It is the purpose of my invention to overcome these and other ob- Q jections and to produce an implement which will be more simple, effective, strong, durable,

2 5 and less fatiguing and wearing on the user.

To this end my invention comprehends the peculiar features and combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front view of my complete device as applied to a shovel; Fig, 2, a similar view as applied to a broom; Fig. 3, a detail of the mode of attaching the spring to the handle and head of the implement; Fig. 4, a view of my device in operation when applied to an ordinary sweepingbroom.

The handle a is provided with a hand-grip I), such as ordinarily used on shovels, and this grip is provided with a pair of coil-sprin gs c, which fit within the prongs d and are compressible by trunnions e of roller f. The trunnions 6 pass through and play in elongated slots g. The spring-grip tends to ease and cushion the end-thrust of the implement, and it also assists in retracting the implement at the termination of the stroke away from the operator. At the lower end of the handle a and interposed between it and the scoop of the shovel or head of a broom, as may be, is located an unrestricted or unconfined spiral or coil spring h, composed of open coils h of uniform size. The axis of this spring is substantially parallel with the handle of the implement, and the upper end of the coil is bent to project parallel to the axis of the spring and enters a recess in the end of the handle, where it is held in place by a head Z and ferrule m. The lower or opposite end of the spring is similarly formed and fastened. This spring is made of any suitable size of wire that will lend sufficient stiffness to permit the successful performance of the function of the implements to which it is attached. The open coils allow the spring free endwise compression in manipulating the implement, so that a forward thrust into the matter operated upon will be cushioned and all spraining strain prevented.

The springs c in the grip b are constructed with open coils, like the larger spring at the lower end of the handle, and co-operate to cushion the end-thrust in unison therewith. The small springs, however, have only a movement backward and forward, while the lower spring has a free universal movement, or, in other words, an endwise and a lateral movement.

In using the implement it will be seen that when the operator thrusts it into an object and its forward movement is arrested by contact therewith the shock will be cushioned by the large spring, the coils of which will be brought nearer together, and it will, together with the small ones, be compressed. Now on releasing forward pressure the retractile force of the spring or springs forces the handle, and hence the hand of the operator, backward, and a large portion of the energy stored in the spring by compression is thus utilized in withdrawing the implement to give it its initial movement backward, and vice versa.

In pitching the load from the implement, as when using a shovel or pitchfork, the termination of the stroke away from the operator will not be accompanied by a sudden jerk, (as would be the case without springs,) but will end softly, gracefully, and easily, and the release of the load will allow the springs to retract, thereby lending assistance to give it a start backward.

The open coils of the large spring permit it to bend laterally when lifting, thereby relieving the operator of much muscular strain so injurious to laborers and at the same time permitting the spring to assist in giving the implement its initial lateral movement.

A further advantage of my device is that it is less likely to become broken when prying upon an object to be moved, and a still further advantage is that of preventing the laborer or operator from spraining or straining the muscles or sinews of the arms or body by supplying an implement which will always have a yielding action to soften and cushion the force brought to bear upon the sinews. still further advantage is that of assisting the operator at the beginning and ending of each stroke, like a spring in a clock-pendulum.

It is evident that my invention could be varied in many slight ways that might suggest themselves to a skilled mechanic. Therefore I do not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown, but consider myself entitled to all such variations as come within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a shovel or like implement, a scoop or head portion attached to the handle by means of an unrestricted or unconfined coil-spring havinga universal movement, in the manner and for the purpose substan tially as described.

2. A shovel or like implement having a han dle provided with a coil-spring having free endwise and lateral movement, said spring being interposed between the gripping portion of the handle and the head of the implement, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a shovel or like implement, a handle having a spiral spring interposed between its upper end and the implement scoop or head portion, in combination with a grip provided with cushioning-springs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Iafi'ix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MATTHEW RYAN. Witnesses:

R. G. DUBoIs, I. B. OWENS. 

